Guide » Automobile

Kansas City Auto Collision Guide: When to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer

Car crashes wreck lives in a mere second. From physical harm to financial losses, typically, the victims have a tough and long path to tread. Kansas City residents need to understand when the right time is to hire the services of a personal injury attorney. This manual describes your rights, what to do in the event of an accident, and how your attorney will safeguard your claim. 

Why It Is Important to Act Quickly After A Car Accident

Time is of the essence after a car accident. Police reports, medical evidence, and witness statements disappear overnight. Insurers act quickly too as part of attempts to safeguard profits. You can protect your rights by consulting a Kansas City car accident lawyer early. They gather evidence, negotiate with insurance providers, and file claims in a timely manner.

Common Causes of Kansas City Car Accidents

Kansas City experiences thousands of accidents annually. Some of the common causes are:

• Distracted driving, or texting/eating.
• Reckless lane change or speeding.
• Drunk driving or drug driving.
• Disobedience of traffic lights or stop signs.
• Poor roads, poor weather, or poor lighting.

Where driver carelessness causes injury, victims are entitled to justice in the form of just compensation.

Injuries Most Likely to Arise from Car Accidents

Low-speed crashes also have long-term implications. Some of the most common injuries are:

• Whiplash or back and neck strain.
• Dislocations or fractures.
• Head injury of the type of concussions or cerebral damage.
• Paralyzing spinal cord injuries.
• Airbag or broken glass cuts, bruises, or burns.

Treatment is expensive and lasts months or years. A lawyer blames the injuries on the accident and fights for proper coverage.

Things to Do Soon After a Motor Vehicle Accident

You can impact your health and your claim by what occurs after the accident. Do the following:

1. Get out of the road if possible.
2. Call 911 and have the police arrive.
3. Get treated by medical professionals, even if the injury appears minor.
4. Take down witness and driver information.
5. Document damage, injuries, and accident scene with photos.
6. Don’t apologize and don’t speculate.
7. Digital photo insurance adjusters can’t dispute.

Immediately call a personal injury lawyer who handles personal injury claims. These steps protect your health and your rights.

Why You Need a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer

The insurance companies are not friendly people. They don’t want to pay out anything. A lawyer helps by:

• Handling the accident very strategically.
• Obtaining police reports and medical reports.
• Taking statements from witnesses.
• Dealing with all communication with insurance adjusters.
• Suing when negotiations break down.

Most lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee. You don’t owe anything if they lose your case.

What Can You Recover?

You can recover the following damages against car accident victims:

• Emergency medical treatment and future treatment.
• Lost income and loss of earning capacity.
• Repair or replacement of the vehicle.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Each case is different. A lawyer walks through your losses, helps in the legal process and builds a claim upon your damages.

Missouri Statutes Affected By Car Accident Claims

Missouri is a pure comparative fault state. You may still recover if you are partially at fault.

Example: 25% at fault, recover 75% of damages.

The five-year statute of limitations affects most personal injury claims. Forfeiting this time bar prevents recovery.

How Insurance Companies Reduce Payouts

Insurance adjusters always use strategies to reduce claims. Some of these include:

• Victim-blaming.
• Calling injuries “minor” or non-causally related to the accident.
• Making low but early offers.
• Draining the process so the victims are desperate.

Such games can be detected by an attorney and a decent settlement negotiated.

The Role of Evidence

An effective claim is dependent upon good evidence. Good evidence includes:

• Police accident reports.
• Witness statements.
• Medical records and bills.
• Photos or videos of the scene.
• Expert witnesses to the cause of accidents.

Attorneys gather, keep, and bring forward such evidence on your behalf to make your case.

Settlement or Trial

Most settle. This prevents lengthy court cases and results in quicker payment. Attorneys can sue in trial if insurance companies are not ready to make fair settlements. Compensation is granted by a jury. Having lawyers ready to take you to trial sends a clear message to insurers that you are dead serious, and this will compel insurers to provide better terms.

Advantages of Acting Early

Calling an attorney at once can:

• Preserve valuable evidence.
• Get immediate medical attention.
• Make claims in advance of deadlines.
• Bypasses insurer stalling tactic.
• Get firsts in ahead. legal matters are settled.

The longer you wait, the better the case is for the insurer.

Closing Comments

Car accidents hurt, distress, and cost you money. From medical bills to lost income, it can be felt for years. A Kansas City personal injury lawyer advocates on your behalf. With an attorney and forceful pursuit, you receive compensation while your lawyer negotiates the claim. If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a Kansas City accident, don’t wait. Call an experienced Kansas City personal injury attorney today to have your rights protected and the compensation you are entitled to.

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